I am still thinking about getting iWitness and a couple of cams to do yard area security. I would be interested in hearing from those of you using X10 CAMS with or without iWitness (any kind of X10 cam or others). I am running AHP/Smart Macro's with fairly good succes. I am interested in what I can do and how good the cams REALLY ARE. I want to be able to SEE the area with some definition. I want to be able to identify people and not just a moving target. I'd like to know about the cams... can they handle a southern warm humid climate as long as they are underneath protection ? Is the clarity really as good as the advertisements... Let loose and tell me just what you really think before I spend $$ and have regrets.,.. Many Thanks !! SteveRF

SteveRF, I just received the AHP+iWitness+XCAM2 with Ninja. I have a few problems with the AHP s/w and CM15A but have managed to get the camera and ninja working. The ninja is pretty good. The camera pretty much sucks. The resolution is poor at best. Really hard to do recognition on a person. If you are after seeing what's been happening in the yard the XCAM2 is not bad, but if you want to identify a vandal forget it. License number forget it...you'll only be able to identify the color of the car (color XCAM2) and maybe the make/model.

Hi SteveRF, I cut and pasted from another reply I made but must say I am very dissatisfied with my purchase but this is my second attempt. My first attempt was with a Clover video capture device with an IR camera. The capture device did not work so I sent it back along with the camera that on line it says OutDoor but there was no way it could even handle Florida humidity. The program was very easy to use.

$169 for system $1000 for installation and setup. Plane and simple I need the camera to RECORD not just turn on every time the computer turns on. A lot of power outages here in Florida so I need it to record when the power comes back on. Also it won't let me update due to wrong file size. Also picture quality with capture device on TV ok on Computer worthless past 15'.

Mark and Kevin, Thanks for your comments...hopefully I can get even more info before I decide waht to do. I live on the Gulfcoast FL/AL area so humidity and heat is a major concern. I have noted your unhappiness with resolution. I share teh same thoughts. I want to be able to recognize things not just a big area. If you have more input as time goes on, please share it... and MANY thanks to both of you for your time ! SteveRF

SteveRF do you want to use this just for a security camera as I did? I bought it for my shop just to view vandals I have a computer in my shop so I thought it would save money. I should have bought the Clover system from Sams with a DVR. This stupid thing could jeopardize my job spending so much time trying to get it to work. Still havn't figured how to auto record upon startup also crashes or lockups ALL THE TIME.

Mark, one more question. What is crashing frequently, the AHP software, iWitness, CM15A interface or all of the above? I'm still experimenting and haven't extended my system to more than just one "crappy" camera. I've only done short recordings and snapshots.

Hi Kevin, Have macros? who knows I know I've been trying every thing that I see on the program but it goes no where. And the crashing happens when the program doesn't like what I've done like look at media video or download an update or when I pull down a toolbar and ask it to do something it does not like.

So, I dumped another $130 on a Q-See wireless color camera and receiver. After some not so technical testing, I found that the Q-See receiver works the best with the X10 XCam2 camera!! The combination is barely good enough to read a license plate at a distance of about 17 feet. Also found the X10 USB video adapter introduces some distortion. I compared it with a direct feed into a TV.

All, From what I am reading so far, the X10 Cams are really priced ok but the delivered picture quality is not that good ?? I am seeing some "throw away" 25 min camcorders for $25.00 that seem to give a better pic quality.... BUT I am still looking at the X1o stuff.... appreciate all of your comments !

I performed a little more technical assessment of the X10 XCam2 and q-see camera. I used the iWitness software to capture snapshots of identical objects. I used all permutations of cameras, receivers and channels. I found the best combination turned out to be the X10 XCam2 and the X10 receiver set to channel C or D (both were equal). The XCam2 camera is just plain better than the q-see. The q-see camera did have IR capability which I didn't really test but it seemed to produce better quality pictures than color mode. The q-see receiver produce more accurate contrast and brightness than the X10 receiver, but the resolution was better on the X10 receiver.

I could not find the video specs on the XCam2 camera anywhere, so it's hard to use it as a baseline.

I have been having USB problems connecting my interface (CM15A) to the PC. X10 gave me an RMA, so I won't have anymore testing information until I receive the replacement interface. I'm planning on trying a $150- $200 wired CCTV camera just to see if the iWitness is a limiting factor.

I have several of the X10 cameras and pan and tilts. The pan and tilt work great. The camera resolution sucks especially if viewed on a PC. The resolution is barely OK if viewed on a monitor and people can be identified if close to the camera. The cameras are useless at night unless the area is covered by bright flood lights. I have the cameras, in my system, triggered by motion sensors that start macros in AHP. The macros turn on the camera and start the pan and tilt in motion, scanning the selected area. This all works fine. I do not use the record function in iwetness as it causes my computer to crash. (Pentium 800mhz). I do all of the recording with a VCR. I start the VCR with the VCR recorder sold by X10 and I am very pleased with this setup.

As far as the reliability of the units.....I have had some of the camera for 3 years and not a single one has failed. Some of the cameras are mounted out in the open and are exposed to the weather. I live in PA. Although we do not have the continuous high humidity that you have we do have hot rainy summers and cold winters.

Jim, Thanks so much for the info.... I do not have any X10 Cams at present and from what I am hearing, the resolution is not very good. Well, that is what I want the cam for, to be able to "see" who and what out in the yard area (20-300 feet). I wonder if the XCam2 is any better and do I have to use the X10 cams with the iWitness or can I use another cam ? I'd rather spend another $100 or so and have a camera that I can count on... BUT I am still looking... I really appreciate all the candid advice. I do not have iWitness yet but my AHP system is working pretty well.. Right now I am kind of dissappointed that I may have to abandon the iWitness idea because of the Cam resolution.. o well... Wish they had a "try a cam before you buy" program ! Regards and THANKS ! SteveRF